The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Robert F. Lanman (ASN: 37139211), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 129th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 25 March 1944. When the patrol of which he was a member was ambushed and one of the soldiers wounded, Sergeant Lanman unhesitatingly exposed himself to hostile machine gun and rifle fire to carry the disabled man to the safety of a covered position. Later, during the fire fight, he discovered a concealed machine gun, fearlessly crawled to within a few yards of the weapon, knocked it out of action with an accurately thrown grenade, and killed the four members of its crew. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Lanman, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.